The Academy: CLICHE, BUT NEVER SAY NEVER

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

Simon’s attention was diverted as the familiar call of his earth rumbled; announcing the coming of his first student, Eithne.

“Eithne.” He is curt, but his eyes – the only expression in them is of warmth and friendliness. His voice is cutting, but only just so, it was a strange sort of cutting – as if it demanded attention without forcing it. “I am Simon.” His muzzle split in a genuine grin. “I am glad you picked the Scholarship class, it is a class that goes well unnoticed and receives, perhaps unjustly, mostly scorn and ridicule for other classes.” His voice is filled with a faint sadness too, a sadness that the road to knowledge isn’t as inspirational or as climatic as one may hope.

“My elements, they do not recognize any trace of an element in you. Perhaps this will be your first task.” His Earth settled quietly at his feet, the snow blossoming thousands of tendrils of the beginning of a rose-plant. His air swelled, and his head swung towards the breeze. “Eithne, look.” His voice is full of admiration for his Air element. And suspended mid-air above them (chiefly due to the Air’s influence on the air around them) hung a small sea-shell, ribbed with rosy hue. It was hardly bigger than a human’s thumbnail, and it was just as intricate. It was ribbed like palm-fronds and was the color of baby-pink. “This is my gift to you, it is a sea-shell from my home.” It hovered before affixing itself (should she allow) to a strand of hair near her poll, where his Air manipulated her hair and tied the shell in a small but elaborate knot.

“Your task, it may seem simple but I expect you to think long and hard about it. I want to know what element you will choose upon completing your minor. I want to know what kind of element it is (is it, to you, an element of power or nobility or even triumph? What does your element symbolize to you?) and why you chose it – not just what it means to you but how you will use it, for better or worse.”

He watched her, scrutinizing her before his Air and Earth trailed off.

S I M O N
CLOSE TO THE SUN IN LONELY LANDS
THE INFINITY x THE IMPETUS || AIR & EARTH III